All of the discussion about gays in the Boy Scouts reminds me of a family story. My father was responsible for the first African-American Boy Scout troop in Virginia.

My father, Abner E. Lee, worked with a group of boys at his church, St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Va. He thought the Boy Scout model would be good for his boys, so he went to the local head scoutmaster to see if his boys could become scouts. He was told no, that blacks were inferior and would never be able to accomplish what scouts were expected to accomplish -- and above all else, "Negroes" would never be allowed to wear the scout uniform.

The language was most offensive. Despite repeated insults, Daddy went back again and again, and finally convinced them to, reluctantly, sponsor an official troop. In February 1928, charters were given to five Boy Scout troops -- 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74. To the best of my knowledge, a few of those troops are still in existence.

Just something to think about in light of what the Boy Scouts are struggling with today.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.